Quinn says he's on board as rebuilding Bears begin practices
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 20: Chicago Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn (94) looks on during a game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings on December 20, 2021, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via G
LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Robert Quinn wanted nothing more than to remain with the Chicago Bears after setting a franchise record with 18 1/2 sacks last year.
The defensive end has his wish — for now.
Quinn joined the rest of the team on the practice field Wednesday for the first time under new coach Matt Eberflus after missing all of the offseason voluntary and mandatory work.
Quinn said he doesn’t expect or want to be traded, as the rumors suggested all offseason.
"I haven’t heard anything since being in the building, but I will say I don’t work upstairs, either," he said. "I’m in the locker room.
"When I see Coach ‘Flus’ he seems to have a smile on his face. I take that as a good thing. I’m going to keep that as a positive staple in my mind. I see a smile on his face when he looks at me. Just be happy about that."
This doesn’t mean the Bears are without controversy at the start of training camp.
Linebacker Roquan Smith, who wants an extension as he enters the fifth and final season of his rookie contract, was placed on the physically unable to perform list Wednesday.
Smith was at practice, just not taking part. Eberflus doesn’t want to reveal the injury that landed Smith on the PUP list, assuming there is one. Smith was at all the offseason practices — voluntary and mandatory — and did not have an injury then. The last offseason workout was in mid-June.
Eberflus had no problem talking about what he sees ahead for Quinn, even if the 2021 Pro Bowl player did miss all the offseason practices and mandatory minicamp.
"I’ve been talking to him the whole summer," Eberflus said. "I mean, we’ve been going back and forth the whole summer and it’s been great, great communication back and forth, and he’s on board and he’s ready to go."
Quinn had to accept a fine for his absence at minicamp, but said he didn’t mind because he was getting his "body right."
Still, Quinn acknowledged he could easily be traded. The Rams and Dolphins both dealt him in the past.
"It’s a business, that’s all it is," Quinn said. "Again, when I started off, I was in a different building for seven years (with the Rams). Now I’m here. That’s all it is, it’s a business.
"You wish guys could stay in one place forever, but at the end of the day, before you play you’ve got to sign a contract. So that just lets you know how it’s a business, how this game works."
Quinn had only two sacks two years ago in his first season with the Bears, then bounced back by breaking Richard Dent’s franchise record. So he anticipated he would be someone the new coaching staff wanted to keep.
Besides, while he was with Dallas, he had played in a similar style defense to the 4-3 scheme the Bears are using. So it made sense he would be comfortable.
"Again, I thought last year gave me a little comfortability to stay in the building," Quinn said. "But again, I’m just gonna do my part, bring a smile, work as hard as I can and just let everything take its course after that."
And if the Bears trade him to a contender? Playing for a team picked by many to finish last can’t be too appealing.
"Well, people that say that," Quinn said. "At the end of the day, we’re all professionals. I don’t think guys, from the rookies to the veterans, I don’t think no one’s coming in (saying), ‘Oh, we’ve gotta tank the season for next year.’
"I think everyone’s got the mindset we’ve got players to win games."
Still, a lot can happen before the trade deadline in November.
"There’s a lot of if-ifs," Quinn said. "The only thing I can control is myself. Whether I’m in this building or another building, all I can do is bring the best version of myself and keep the positive energy around."
NOTES: DL Sam Kamara was added to the PUP list with Smith. ... S Dane Cruikshank, DB Michael Joseph and WR Tajae Sharpe went on the non-football injury list. ... The Bears experimented with rookie CB Kyler Gordon playing some downs at nickel cornerback along with Tavon Young.